PDX Pop Now!

The PDX Pop Now! festival may only be 6 years old, but this free, all-ages event has firmly established itself as the premiere musical celebration of what our city has to offer, musically speaking.

True to form, the bookers have put together another incredible, overstuffed schedule for this year's installment, covering an even wider swathe of genres and musical approaches.

Perhaps the most shocking name on the schedule this year is the contemporary classical ensemble Fear No Music. They play in the middle of an opening night schedule that moves from there to the noise pop of New Zealand imports Mint Chicks to Peter Broderick's gentle folk-style musings.

Although you may already be buzzing about each evening's headliners -- the honor this year falling to the Minus 5, retro electro act Strength and the stitched-together indie rock of Menomena -- if you have the time to catch the rest of the day's entertainment, you're likely to walk away with some new favorites.

Sure, there are genres that got passed by (blues, world music), but considering the amount of entertainment PDX Pop Now! offers at no cost, it's easy to put aside such quibbles and simply revel in the noise.